diff --git a/DESCRIPTION b/DESCRIPTION
index 01f91fcb9a..d0d2072f3d 100644
--- a/DESCRIPTION
+++ b/DESCRIPTION
@@ -281,6 +281,7 @@ Collate:
     'utilities-break.R'
     'utilities-grid.R'
     'utilities-help.R'
+    'utilities-lifecycle.R'
     'utilities-patterns.R'
     'utilities-performance.R'
     'utilities-resolution.R'
diff --git a/NAMESPACE b/NAMESPACE
index ce32705b6d..526917cdd9 100644
--- a/NAMESPACE
+++ b/NAMESPACE
@@ -671,6 +671,7 @@ export(scale_y_reverse)
 export(scale_y_sqrt)
 export(scale_y_time)
 export(sec_axis)
+export(set_edition)
 export(set_last_plot)
 export(set_theme)
 export(sf_transform_xy)
diff --git a/R/annotation-logticks.R b/R/annotation-logticks.R
index 548a89470b..7757bafa45 100644
--- a/R/annotation-logticks.R
+++ b/R/annotation-logticks.R
@@ -93,7 +93,7 @@ annotation_logticks <- function(base = 10, sides = "bl", outside = FALSE, scaled
   if (!is.null(color))
     colour <- color
 
-  lifecycle::signal_stage("superseded", "annotation_logticks()", "guide_axis_logticks()")
+  supersede("2026", "annotation_logticks()", "guide_axis_logticks()")
 
   if (lifecycle::is_present(size)) {
     deprecate("3.5.0", I("Using the `size` aesthetic in this geom"), I("`linewidth`"))
diff --git a/R/coord-flip.R b/R/coord-flip.R
index 3ea68a8273..f19b75c64d 100644
--- a/R/coord-flip.R
+++ b/R/coord-flip.R
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@
 #'   geom_area() +
 #'   coord_flip()
 coord_flip <- function(xlim = NULL, ylim = NULL, expand = TRUE, clip = "on") {
-  lifecycle::signal_stage("superseded", "coord_flip()")
+  supersede("2026", "coord_flip()", with = I("swapping x and y aesthetics"))
   check_coord_limits(xlim)
   check_coord_limits(ylim)
   ggproto(NULL, CoordFlip,
diff --git a/R/coord-map.R b/R/coord-map.R
index b23ca8abad..50938617f2 100644
--- a/R/coord-map.R
+++ b/R/coord-map.R
@@ -136,7 +136,7 @@ coord_map <- function(projection="mercator", ..., parameters = NULL, orientation
   } else {
     params <- parameters
   }
-  lifecycle::signal_stage("superseded", "coord_map()", "coord_sf()")
+  supersede("2026", "coord_map()", "coord_sf()")
   check_coord_limits(xlim)
   check_coord_limits(ylim)
 
diff --git a/R/coord-polar.R b/R/coord-polar.R
index 107cbf0f74..b4763da20f 100644
--- a/R/coord-polar.R
+++ b/R/coord-polar.R
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 coord_polar <- function(theta = "x", start = 0, direction = 1, clip = "on") {
   theta <- arg_match0(theta, c("x", "y"))
   r <- if (theta == "x") "y" else "x"
-  lifecycle::signal_stage("superseded", "coord_polar()", "coord_radial()")
+  supersede("2026", "coord_polar()", "coord_radial()")
 
   ggproto(NULL, CoordPolar,
     theta = theta,
diff --git a/R/ggplot-global.R b/R/ggplot-global.R
index 495dc65ae0..dfcbbbccc9 100644
--- a/R/ggplot-global.R
+++ b/R/ggplot-global.R
@@ -52,3 +52,5 @@ ggplot_global$x_aes <- c("x", "xmin", "xmax", "xend", "xintercept",
 
 ggplot_global$y_aes <- c("y", "ymin", "ymax", "yend", "yintercept",
   "ymin_final", "ymax_final", "lower", "middle", "upper", "y0")
+
+ggplot_global$edition <- NULL
diff --git a/R/labels.R b/R/labels.R
index 87e5bd2d63..ab47b2a72d 100644
--- a/R/labels.R
+++ b/R/labels.R
@@ -239,21 +239,21 @@ labs <- function(..., title = waiver(), subtitle = waiver(),
 #' superseded. It is recommended to use the `labs(x, y, title, subtitle)`
 #' arguments instead.
 xlab <- function(label) {
-  lifecycle::signal_stage("superseded", "xlab()", "labs(x)")
+  supersede("2026", "xlab()", "labs(x)")
   labs(x = label)
 }
 
 #' @rdname labs
 #' @export
 ylab <- function(label) {
-  lifecycle::signal_stage("superseded", "ylab()", "labs(y)")
+  supersede("2026", "ylab()", "labs(y)")
   labs(y = label)
 }
 
 #' @rdname labs
 #' @export
 ggtitle <- function(label, subtitle = waiver()) {
-  lifecycle::signal_stage("superseded", "ggtitle()", I("labs(title, subtitle)"))
+  supersede("2026", "ggtitle()", I("labs(title, subtitle)"))
   labs(title = label, subtitle = subtitle)
 }
 
diff --git a/R/limits.R b/R/limits.R
index 976307a467..25d4a1d4f9 100644
--- a/R/limits.R
+++ b/R/limits.R
@@ -184,7 +184,8 @@ limits.POSIXlt <- function(lims, var, call = caller_env()) {
 expand_limits <- function(...) {
   data <- list2(...)
 
-  lifecycle::signal_stage("superseded", "expand_limits()")
+
+  supersede("2026", "expand_limits()")
 
   # unpack data frame columns
   data_dfs <- vapply(data, is.data.frame, logical(1))
diff --git a/R/utilities-lifecycle.R b/R/utilities-lifecycle.R
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..0173829766
--- /dev/null
+++ b/R/utilities-lifecycle.R
@@ -0,0 +1,108 @@
+#' Set ggplot2 edition
+#'
+#' ggplot2 uses the 'edition' concept to manage the lifecycles of functions and
+#' arguments. Setting a recent edition opens up the latest features but also
+#' closes down deprecated and superseded functionality.
+#'
+#' @param edition An edition. Possible values currently include `"2026"` only.
+#'   Can be `NULL` (default) to unset an edition.
+#'
+#' @returns The previous `edition` value. This function is called for the side
+#'  effect of setting the edition though.
+#' @export
+#' @keywords internal
+#'
+#' @examples
+#' set_edition(2026)
+set_edition <- function(edition = NULL) {
+  old <- ggplot_global$edition
+  ggplot_global$edition <- validate_edition(edition)
+  invisible(old)
+}
+
+get_edition <- function() {
+  ggplot_global$edition[[1]]
+}
+
+# Any new editions should be appended here and anchored to a version
+edition_versions <- c(
+  "2025" = "4.0.0",
+  "2026" = "4.1.0"
+)
+
+validate_edition <- function(edition, allow_null = TRUE, call = caller_env()) {
+  if (is.null(edition) && allow_null) {
+    return(NULL)
+  }
+  edition <- as.character(edition)
+  check_string(edition, allow_empty = FALSE, call = call)
+  arg_match0(edition, names(edition_versions), error_call = call)
+}
+
+edition_require <- function(edition = NULL, what, call = caller_env()) {
+  edition <- validate_edition(edition)
+  current_edition <- get_edition()
+  if (
+    !is.null(current_edition) &&
+    as.numeric(current_edition) >= as.numeric(edition)
+  ) {
+    return(invisible())
+  }
+  cli::cli_abort(
+    "{what} requires the {edition} edition of {.pkg ggplot2}.",
+    call = call
+  )
+}
+
+deprecate <- function(when, ..., id = NULL, always = FALSE, user_env = NULL,
+                      escalate = NULL) {
+
+  defunct <- "3.0.0"
+  full    <- "3.4.0"
+  soft    <- utils::packageVersion("ggplot2")
+
+  if (identical(escalate, "delay")) {
+    soft <- full
+    full <- defunct
+    defunct <- "0.0.0"
+  }
+
+  edition <- get_edition()
+  if (!is.null(edition) && edition %in% names(edition_versions)) {
+    soft <- full <- defunct <- edition_versions[[edition]]
+  }
+
+  version <- as.package_version(when)
+  if (version <= defunct || identical(escalate, "abort")) {
+    lifecycle::deprecate_stop(when, ...)
+  }
+  user_env <- user_env %||% getOption("ggplot2_plot_env") %||% caller_env(2)
+  if (version <= full || identical(escalate, "warn")) {
+    lifecycle::deprecate_warn(when, ..., id = id, always = always, user_env = user_env)
+  } else if (version <= soft) {
+    lifecycle::deprecate_soft(when, ..., id = id, user_env = user_env)
+  }
+  invisible()
+}
+
+supersede <- function(edition, what, with = NULL, ..., env = caller_env()) {
+  current_edition <- get_edition()
+  if (
+    !is.null(current_edition) &&
+    current_edition %in% names(edition_versions) &&
+    as.numeric(current_edition) >= as.numeric(edition)
+  ) {
+    lifecycle::deprecate_stop(
+      when = paste0("edition ", edition),
+      what = what,
+      with = with,
+      env  = env
+    )
+  }
+  lifecycle::signal_stage(
+    stage = "superseded",
+    what  = what,
+    with  = with,
+    env   = env
+  )
+}
diff --git a/R/utilities.R b/R/utilities.R
index 598b9a8fc3..4b72934d36 100644
--- a/R/utilities.R
+++ b/R/utilities.R
@@ -789,32 +789,6 @@ as_cli <- function(..., env = caller_env()) {
   cli::cli_fmt(cli::cli_text(..., .envir = env))
 }
 
-deprecate <- function(when, ..., id = NULL, always = FALSE, user_env = NULL,
-                      escalate = NULL) {
-
-  defunct <- "3.0.0"
-  full    <- "3.4.0"
-  soft    <- utils::packageVersion("ggplot2")
-
-  if (identical(escalate, "delay")) {
-    soft <- full
-    full <- defunct
-    defunct <- "0.0.0"
-  }
-
-  version <- as.package_version(when)
-  if (version < defunct || identical(escalate, "abort")) {
-    lifecycle::deprecate_stop(when, ...)
-  }
-  user_env <- user_env %||% getOption("ggplot2_plot_env") %||% caller_env(2)
-  if (version <= full || identical(escalate, "warn")) {
-    lifecycle::deprecate_warn(when, ..., id = id, always = always, user_env = user_env)
-  } else if (version <= soft) {
-    lifecycle::deprecate_soft(when, ..., id = id, user_env = user_env)
-  }
-  invisible()
-}
-
 as_unordered_factor <- function(x) {
   x <- as.factor(x)
   class(x) <- setdiff(class(x), "ordered")
diff --git a/man/set_edition.Rd b/man/set_edition.Rd
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..dbbcc566a3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/man/set_edition.Rd
@@ -0,0 +1,25 @@
+% Generated by roxygen2: do not edit by hand
+% Please edit documentation in R/utilities-lifecycle.R
+\name{set_edition}
+\alias{set_edition}
+\title{Set ggplot2 edition}
+\usage{
+set_edition(edition = NULL)
+}
+\arguments{
+\item{edition}{An edition. Possible values currently include \code{"2026"} only.
+Can be \code{NULL} (default) to unset an edition.}
+}
+\value{
+The previous \code{edition} value. This function is called for the side
+effect of setting the edition though.
+}
+\description{
+ggplot2 uses the 'edition' concept to manage the lifecycles of functions and
+arguments. Setting a recent edition opens up the latest features but also
+closes down deprecated and superseded functionality.
+}
+\examples{
+set_edition(2026)
+}
+\keyword{internal}
diff --git a/tests/testthat/_snaps/utilities-lifecycle.md b/tests/testthat/_snaps/utilities-lifecycle.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..87255851d8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/testthat/_snaps/utilities-lifecycle.md
@@ -0,0 +1,39 @@
+# editions can be set and unset
+
+    Code
+      set_edition("nonsense")
+    Condition
+      Error in `set_edition()`:
+      ! `edition` must be one of "2025" or "2026", not "nonsense".
+
+# edition deprecation works
+
+    `foo()` was deprecated in ggplot2 4.0.0.
+    i Please use `bar()` instead.
+
+---
+
+    Code
+      foo()
+    Condition
+      Error:
+      ! `foo()` was deprecated in ggplot2 4.0.0 and is now defunct.
+      i Please use `bar()` instead.
+
+# edition supersession works
+
+    Code
+      foo()
+    Condition
+      Error:
+      ! `foo()` was deprecated in <NA> edition 2025 and is now defunct.
+      i Please use `bar()` instead.
+
+# edition requirements work
+
+    Code
+      foo()
+    Condition
+      Error in `foo()`:
+      ! foo() requires the 2025 edition of ggplot2.
+
diff --git a/tests/testthat/test-utilities-lifecycle.R b/tests/testthat/test-utilities-lifecycle.R
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..ad93d50158
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/testthat/test-utilities-lifecycle.R
@@ -0,0 +1,56 @@
+test_that("editions can be set and unset", {
+
+  x <- set_edition(2026)
+  expect_null(x) # Set edition returns old value
+  expect_equal(get_edition(), "2026")
+
+  x <- set_edition(NULL)
+  expect_equal(x, "2026")
+  expect_equal(get_edition(), NULL)
+
+  # Test invalid values
+  expect_snapshot(
+    set_edition("nonsense"),
+    error = TRUE
+  )
+})
+
+test_that("edition deprecation works", {
+  foo <- function() {
+    deprecate("4.0.0", what = "foo()", with = "bar()")
+  }
+  expect_snapshot_warning(foo())
+
+  set_edition(2025)
+  withr::defer(set_edition())
+
+  expect_snapshot(foo(), error = TRUE)
+})
+
+test_that("edition supersession works", {
+  foo <- function() {
+    supersede("2025", what = "foo()", with = "bar()")
+    NULL
+  }
+  expect_silent(foo())
+
+  set_edition(2025)
+  withr::defer(set_edition())
+
+  expect_snapshot(foo(), error = TRUE)
+})
+
+test_that("edition requirements work", {
+
+  foo <- function() {
+    edition_require("2025", what = "foo()")
+    NULL
+  }
+
+  expect_snapshot(foo(), error = TRUE)
+
+  set_edition(2025)
+  withr::defer(set_edition())
+
+  expect_silent(foo())
+})